What is the Master of European Studies. Transnational and Global Perspectives all about?. This. interdisciplinary programme.
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What is the Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives all about?

This interdisciplinary programme engages students to study Europe both as a transnational community and as an actor in a globalised world. The programme offers insight and knowledge about the nature and functioning of Europe both in the contemporary world and in a historical perspective. Interaction with staff members from various disciplines and faculties (Social Sciences, Arts, Law, Economics, and Theology) exposes students to a wide range of theoretical approaches and allows them to acquire the necessary methodological skills. The programme strongly emphasises the need to engage in a critical debate about the challenges that confront Europe with respect to its internal, diversified identities and its interaction with other actors in the world.

Structure

The programme consists of five interdisciplinary modules. You choose four courses from one particular module.

Module 1: European History, Diversity, and Culture focuses on historical diversities and transnational movements and institutions in Europe.

Module 2: EU External Relations analyses the external policies and relations of the European Union within the context of globalisation and new forms of global governance.

Module 3: Globalising Europe investigates different dimensions of globalisation and their relevance for contemporary European society, politics, and culture.

Module 4:Europe - Asia: Interactions and Comparisons offers students the possibility to complement their European perspective with knowledge of developments in contemporary Asia.

Module 5: Russia, Wider Europe and the EU unveils connectivities and dynamics in the history and current affairs of wider Europe and its relations with Russia.

In addition, you will be asked to select two courses from the list of electives. Finally, all students take the course 'Transnational and Global Perspectives on Europe' and write a master's thesis.

This initial master's programme can only be followed on a full-time basis. All courses are taught during the day and for most courses your attendance is required. It is therefore not possible to combine a job with this demanding programme.

Objectives

The multidisciplinary ‘Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives’ engages students to study Europe as a continent of strong interactions across national boundaries and constant exchanges with the outside world. By choosing one of the five modules, students focus on

transnational perspectives on European history, society, diversity and culture;

the external relations and policies of the European Union;

the position and interactions of Europe in a context of globalisation and global governance;

the interactions and comparisons between Europe and Asia or the connectivities and dynamics in the history and current affairs of Russia, wider Europe and the European Union.

The multidisciplinary and research-based education enables students to acquire skills to understand, contextualize and assess complex challenges that transcend disciplinary boundaries as well as national and regional borders. It allows students to engage in a critical debate about Europe within a context of complex internal and external dynamics, and formulate alternative options. Interaction with staff members of various disciplines and faculties exposes students to a wide range of academic approaches in the study of Europe. Supervision by individual staff members, particularly in the context of their master thesis, provides students with focus and guidance for their own research.

Career paths

MAES graduates are equipped with in-depth knowledge of various aspects of European politics, law, history and culture, are schooled in various research methodologies, and are able to communicate their findings to a diverse audience. MAES graduates are thus well positioned for a wide range of professional pursuits.

Many alumni work for European institutions and interest groups, provide advice on European affairs to national, regional or local administrations and governments, or work as European affairs officers for private companies and non-governmental organisations. Others are engaged in national and multinational diplomacy.

Many hold academic positions in European politics, economy, history and culture at universities all over the world. Still other alumni inform the public about European affairs as journalists and cultural officers.

Having delivered its first graduates 20 years ago, MAES counts many prominent figures in European affairs among its alumni. Many of them attribute their MA degree in European Studies as a decisive factor in their career success.

The Master of Science in Communication Studies. Journalism and Media in Europe takes a critical and interdisciplinary look at the role of journalism and media in European societies.
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About the programme

The Master of Science in Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe takes a critical and interdisciplinary look at the role of journalism and media in European societies. The Master looks at journalism and media from an economic, political-ideological and policy perspective. It pays attention to the impact of recent economic, political and technological developments on journalism and media. The Master zooms in on media and journalism in a European context, looking comparatively at journalism across Europe and at journalism in the context of European integration. It makes optimal use of Brussels with its range of European and international institutions and the many media, journalism and communication professionals working in and around those institutions.

This master offers...

- A high-level and integrated programme and interdisciplinary approach to journalism and media in Europe - Teaching in small groups, using interactive methods, stimulating individual participation - The possibility of writing your thesis in English, Dutch, French or German (the last three on approval) - Close collaboration with researchers from the research centers Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT), Studies on Media and Culture (Cemeso), and Democracy, Signification, Resistance (Desire), and the Brussels Platform for Journalism (BPJ) - Teaching in Brussels, the capital of Europe and home to an emerging European communication space. The Master will acquaint you with European institutions and media players. The Master includes a yearly lecture series with representatives of European media industry, journalism and institutions, organizes site visits, and offers the possibility of an internship.

Structure

This daytime programme consists of two semesters and can be completed in one academic year. Alternatively, it can be completed in one and half or two years. It comprises compulsory courses including a master's thesis (48 ECTS), and two optional courses or an internship (12 ECTS).

Compulsory Courses (48 ECTS)

Advanced Methods for Journalism Research Advanced Theoretical Debates: Journalism, Politics and Ideology Brussels talking: Lecture Series on Europe, Media and Society Current Case Studies in Journalism The Political Economy of Journalism in the EU Master's Thesis in Communication Studies

Optional Courses (12 ECTS)

Traineeship in Communication Studies Journalism Practice in Europe Media, Public Spheres and Public Opinions in Europe Policy Advocacy and Media in the EU Challenges and Mutations of Journalism (course at the Université Libre de Bruxelles - in English)

Admission requirements

Direct access is granted for students with a Belgian Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies.

All other applicants' files will be evaluated by the Admission Board on an individual basis. Applicants with a bachelor diploma in a field other than Communication Studies may still be accepted provided they take a few additional courses in the form of a short preparatory programme (consisting of maximum 24 ECTS credits). This preparatory programme can be followed while starting the Master.

The Master of Communication Studies is a one-year (60 ECTS) academic master with a focus on New Media and Society in Europe. This unique English language programme focuses on the rapidly changing field of media and communication in a European context.
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About the programme

The Master of Communication Studies is a one-year (60 ECTS) academic master with a focus on New Media and Society in Europe. This unique English language programme focuses on the rapidly changing field of media and communication in a European context. The programme takes an original interdisciplinary approach and allows students to concentrate on business, policy and/or user aspects of new media.

The programme consists of two semesters. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on three specific fields: business and markets, policy and governance, user aspects of new media and society in Europe. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship.

This Master offers

A high-level and international oriented education by leading scholars in the field of information and communication technologies, new media and European media - An integrated programme and interdisciplinary approach to new media and society in Europe - Teaching in small groups using interactive teaching methods, stimulating individual participation - A wide variety of specialised courses focusing on new media concepts - Excellent guidance in writing your master thesis by leading scholars in a variety of subject fields - The possibility of writing your thesis in one of the following four languages: English, Dutch, French or German (the last three only on approval) - Close collaboration with researchers from the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT) and the Institute for European Studies (IES) - The possibility of meeting professionals of the research field on conferences, workshops and other academic events Stay informed and join our Facebook community.

Optional Courses (18 ECTS)

European Media & Communication Markets Critical Issues in Media Economics European Innovation Policy Current Case Studies: Global and Regional Governance Global and Regional Internet Governance Comparative Communication Research Media, Culture and Globalisation Theory Users and Innovation in New Media Business and Consumer Ethics

Admission requirements

Direct access is granted for students with a Belgian Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies.

All other applicants' files will be evaluated by the Admission Board on an individual basis. Applicants with a bachelor diploma in a field other than Communication Studies may still be accepted provided they take a few additional courses in the form of a short preparatory programme (consisting of maximum 24 ECTS credits). This preparatory programme can be followed while starting the Master.

Please note: An academic BA or MA degree is required to apply.

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The Master of European Social Security is a one-year advanced master's programme organised by KU Leuven's Faculty of Law dealing with the area of social security in its broadest sense, including cash benefit schemes, pensions and health care systems.
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The Master of European Social Security is a one-year advanced master's programme organised by KU Leuven's Faculty of Law dealing with the area of social security in its broadest sense, including cash benefit schemes, pensions and health care systems.

What is the Master of European Social Security all about?

The programme provides an in-depth study of social security and social protection from a legal, economical, sociological, administrative and philosophical perspective. In addition to being multidisciplinary, the curriculum contains a strong comparative and multinational component focusing on the provision of social protection rights across Europe. This gives you the opportunity to understand the many different approaches to social security that co-exist within our old continent. At the same time, you will gain a better understanding of your own national system. The programme also includes careful study of the role of international bodies such as the European Union.

As a student in the programme, you become part of an international network of experts in the field of social security. Students come from various European countries and beyond and have different academic backgrounds. The teaching staff consists of renowned professors from KU Leuven and other European universities specialising in various disciplines related to social security.

Structure

The programme comprises 60ECTS and starts with the summer school in August. The programme concludes the following academic year (July of next year).

The Master's programme is offered in two options:

a more practice-oriented track

a research-oriented track

The two tracks share 30 ECTS in common coursework and 30 ECTS in specialised, track-specific coursework.

Admission to the research-oriented track is based on your end results of the examinations organised at the end of the Executive Summer School and is subject to the decision of an Academic Selection Committee. Only a maximum of six students are admitted to this track every year.

The classes and workshops organised in Leuven (Belgium) are grouped into a limited number of weeks. Remaining coursework is completed via digital learning platform. The platform connects you to Europe's best lecturers who guide you through their specially designed course materials remotely.

This unique teaching platform offers the best of both worlds: an authentic university experience at one of Europe's foremost universities during your two stays on campus and the flexibility to complete the majority of the programme from home. Throughout the programme, you will be connected to a unique international network of universities and be in contact with teaching staff and fellow participants from all over Europe.

Is this the right programme for me?

The ideal prospective student should:

have a good knowledge of his/her own social security system and its workings;

be able to formulate research questions and carry out corresponding research in the area of social security;

have an open attitude toward other scientific disciplines and other national social security systems;

have good English language skills. (There are no special arrangements made for improving language skills during the programme.);

be able to collect relevant information about his/her own social security system and evaluate this information as to its quality and relevance for the research questions being dealt with;

be able to critically evaluate national social security research within his/her mono-discipline;

have the ability to form an opinion about social security issues, motivate it with scientific arguments and formulate it in a debate with others;

hold an appropriate degree in a social security-related discipline. (Very occasionally, students with an academic education in other disciplines but who possess long-term experience in an area of social security and research skills may be admitted the programme.)

While all prospective students should have knowledge of social security acquired by study, those with practical experience, e.g. experience working in a social security administration, are particularly valued. Some previous exposure to European social affairs and/or foreign social security systems is also helpful.

Objectives

The programme is a specialised, research-based education, dealing with the area of social security in its broadest sense. It provides the students with an in-depth study of social protection from a legal, economic, sociological and administrative perspective, confronting the students with the most recent research and several national backgrounds, thus stimulating individual reflection.

At the end of the programme the participants should be able to :

design and carry out individual research projects in the area of social security, as well as participate in the conception, execution and supervision of team research;

put their national/monodisciplinary approach in a broader perspective by including other disciplines and abandoning a merely national point of view;

recognise national and temporal contingencies from essential social security boundaries;

take up unfashionable positions if their research so demands;

take part in and position themselves on a good multidisciplinary and comparative basis in any debate concerning social security issues;

deliver results and opinions that contribute to the advancement of social security related research in Europe;

translate research results to the broader public;

make research results relevant for policy making; be able to translate questions from policy-makers into research questions, deal with them and explain the results to policy-makers.

Career perspectives

Graduates are professionally active in areas related to social security (social or private insurance institutions, social administrations, social and economic policy-makers).